Blackburn: Defense bill a win for Fort Campbell

With things like increasing funding to counter Russian aggression and activities, prohibiting the transfer of dangerous terrorists out of Guantanamo, and boosting our cyber defenses, this year’s defense authorization bill is a win for our military, their families, and the security of all Americans.

In my district, the men and women at Fort Campbell will be happy to hear that this bill provides for a full pay raise under the law and blocks the president’s ability to lower troop pay.

It also begins to restore the readiness issues our military has been facing like the extreme shortfall in manning and maintenance the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division described to Fox News earlier this year.

This bill increases the size of the Army by 17,000 soldiers across the active, guard, and reserve spectrum, allowing units like the 101st to fill critical personnel voids.

Further, we authorize additional funding for the Army to fulfill its unfunded maintenance and training requests so aircraft don’t sit unused, abused or broken.

This year’s NDAA is a big first step towards restoring our military’s readiness, making it more efficient, and taking care of those who serve and their families.

I am pleased to see this bill pass, but there is more to do. I will continue working in the House to make sure those who serve have the resources, training, and certainty they need to keep us safe.